Paraplegia by plunge in bathing lake

Jumping into unknown waters can have serious consequences

06/11/2014

Be careful when jumping into the cool water. Those who would like to refresh themselves in a cool bathing lake during the currently very summery temperatures should be particularly attentive. Especially unknown waters harbor many dangers so that a dive may even lead to paraplegia. Therefore, before every jump into the water, the depth of water should be checked and never jumped into alcohol.

Four percent of paraplegia result from bathing accidents
At temperatures above 30 ° C, many people are drawn out to the swimming pool or swimming lakes to get some refreshment. However, it can quickly lead to nasty accidents. For example, if the water is not deep enough, a spontaneous plunge can quickly damage the spine or even cause paraplegia. As reported by the German Society for Orthopedics and Traumatology (DGOU), about four percent of the average of 1,600 spinal cord injuries a year in Germany result from injuries to the spine caused by swimming accidents. The causes of the accidents are primarily overconfidence, recklessness and alcohol: „The increased risk-taking makes it difficult to sensitize adolescents and young adults to unnecessary risks that can lead to paraplegia - the adolescents are unaware of the lifelong consequences of paraplegia“, said Professor Reinhard Hoffmann, Deputy Secretary General of DGOU.

Parents should definitely educate their children about dangers
Accordingly, the DGOU advises parents to educate their children about the possible dangers of dipping into the water and thus starting as early as possible in early childhood. Above all, it is important to emphasize to the children that in foreign waters the depth of the water must always first be checked - which applies not only to the quarry pond but also to unknown pool waters or the sea. In addition, it should be conveyed that alcohol, courage and reckless behavior associated with bathing and waters are major hazards that can lead to accidents with lifelong consequences.